Thumbsucking and Pacifier Treatments

Oral habits such as thumb sucking, pacifier use, tongue thrusting, or lip sucking are a normal part of development; however, excessive or prolonged habits can create crooked, crowded teeth or bite problems and should be addressed as soon as they are recognized.

Most children will stop these habits on their own, but some will require help from their parents or the dentist. Encouragement and positive reinforcement helps most kids stop. If this approach fails, the dentist has appliances or retainers that can be placed in the mouth that effectively discourages and eliminates the habit.